Letter: 1,000 National Guard fire fighters are not enough

As I gaze out the window from my Lake Tahoe home into the smoky abyss that has engulfed our usually crystal-clear sky, I wonder how we came to the current pyrogenic apocalypse and if it could have been prevented? I certainly understand the current drought conditions that precipitated the possibility of dangerous fire conditions, but I have a hard time understanding why our elected representatives failed to prepare for the catastrophic wildfires that now are ravaging our forests and polluting our air.

The discretionary budget authority of the Department of Defense is approximately $705 billion. These funds support, among other military operations, the 1.3 million US troops currently serving overseas in NATO countries (compared to 208,000 French troops and 187,000 German troops). If a meager 1 percent of our troops from Europe were redeployed back to the United States, those 13,000 soldiers could become American fire fighters. Similarly, if you reduce the Pentagon’s budget by 1 percent, $70 million could be budgeted for fighting fires. I seriously doubt either reduction would put America’s military readiness in jeopardy, but these moves could easily prevent the current threat to Lake Tahoe and other precious gems that are under siege. With the tremendous manpower, equipment and financial resources dedicated to our “defense budget”, we certainly could suppress the fires as well as address the environmental decline that has led to this situation.

As I reflect on my own life, witnessing Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc., I have often asked myself, "What was that all about?" Fighting communism, fighting terrorists, fighting whatever religion that conflicts with Christianity, I don’t know. All I know is that tremendous resources and lives have been wasted that could have been used to promote mankind and salvage our environment.

I recently read that California is committing the National Guard to help. According to the article, “Nearly 1,000 Cal Guard service members are currently activated for fire missions." Why not commit 100,000 or 500,000 or whatever number it takes to stop these blazes? And why wait until these fires reach their current magnitude? The Dixie fire that is currently devastating the Sierra Nevada started July 14. If the initial fire had been addressed in an expedient and efficient manner, I don't believe we would be facing our current crisis. It seems to me 1,000 National Guard fire fighters are far too few and way too late. I have little doubt that the military could stop these blazes with their abundant resources.

- By Jack L. Harrington, DDS

Dr. Harrington has lived in Lake Tahoe for more than 40 years.